Al Kooper Plays Dakota Jazz Club, IPR’s DIY360

Posted by brianjacoby on Wednesday, April 28th, 2010

Check it out! Citypages’ Rick Mason published an article today on the upcomming event Tribute to Al Kooper (featuring Al Kooper himself) at the Dakota Jazz Club in Minneapolis on Sunday, May 2nd. A number of IPR staff, faculty and friends will be playing at the show including our own Adam Levy, who is also the organizer of the show.

Al will also join Adam Levy to talk to IPR students as a very special guest at IPR’s own DIY360 on Friday, April 30th. 

You don’t want to miss either event! (more…)

Posted in Newswire, Newswire Announcements, Newswire Events | No Comments »

Join us for an Open House on May 15th

Posted by brianjacoby on Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Considering a career in Media Arts?

Join us for our Open House:
Saturday, May 15, 2010 • 10:00 am – 2:00 pm
312 Washington Ave. N., Minneapolis, MN

Come and see why IPR is proud to be recognized as one of the premier music production, recording, and entertainment business schools in America.
• Tour the campus and see our cutting-edge recording facilities
• Meet some of our award winning faculty members
• Learn about the wide variety of job possibilities with a degree from IPR
• Meet with representatives from Career Services, Financial Aid, Student Affairs, and Student Services

IPR is a fully accredited college offering Title IV funding to those who qualify.

Posted in Newswire, Newswire Events | No Comments »

Two-time Grammy winner Dan Wilson @ DIY360

Posted by brianjacoby on Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Minneapolis – April 22, 2010 – Two-time Grammy winner, songwriter Dan Wilson, will speak at the Institute of Production and Recording (IPR) DIY360 series this Friday, April 23 at 11:30 a.m. in Robinson Hall. Wilson will speak about the craft of songwriting and the state of the music business. IPR is located at 312 Washington Avenue North in Minneapolis.

Wilson has released platinum selling records internationally with his group Semisonic as well as writing Grammy winning hits for groups like the Dixie Chicks.  His co-writing skills are widely sought- after in the industry and he has written with people as diverse as Adele and Keith Urban. He has worked closely with Grammy winning producer and great popularizer of hip-hop, Rick Ruben.  He continues to tour nationally and releases his own music and recently reunited with his brother Matt Wilson for a live release.

(more…)

Posted in Newswire, Newswire Events | No Comments »

Mark Mallman joins IPR’s DIY 360 events.

Posted by brianjacoby on Monday, February 1st, 2010

Songwriter Mark Mallman joined DIY 360 Friday 1/28.  Mark talked about his numerous musical projects, the songwriting craft, played a few of his songs on piano, discussed his artistic and commercial evolution as an indie artist, and he showed us and discussed some Hollywood blockbuster trailers for which he provided music.

Mark Mallman @ DIY360

Mark Mallman @ DIY360

DIY 360 is a weekly event hosted by Adam Levy.  The goal is to introduce students to professionals in the field who have been successful, frequently by adapting to changes in the business where they make use of multiple skill sets. Guests share information about their careers, their philosophies about professionalism and their art.  Guests often give advice to budding artists, entertainment business professionals, producers and engineers.  DIY 360 is an opportunity for students to network with those working in the field and with each other as they work toward career success.

Posted in Newswire, Newswire Events | No Comments »

In The Mix: Tom Kenny at IPR

Posted by Travis Norman on Monday, December 21st, 2009

The IPR community and select local industry professionals were recently treated to a talk from Tom Kenny, editor of the esteemed Mix magazine.  Joining Tom in discussion was moderator Scott Legere, who opened the event with an honest admission that not only does he read each installment cover to cover, but has actually saved them all as a sort of ongoing time capsule.  Not many publications are likely to inspire this level of admiration, yet it came as little surprise to those in attendance, nearly all of whom could easily relate to the practice of revisiting useful articles months, or even years later, and concurred with Legere’s statement that Mix “let me into the world of what audio meant…and helped me discover the art and science behind all this.”

Ever since joining the San Francisco based Mix magazine team in 1988, Kenny has had a front row view on events which have defined and redefined professional audio and music production over the last two decades.  He pointed out that “In ‘88 big studios ruled; artists routinely camped out for 5 or 6 months at a time working on songs in the studio.  Now, the process has changed – access to technology has dramatically changed the production process.”  Concurrent with this shift have been the new directions taken by the front cover “stars” of the publication, the studios themselves.  Kenny added, “Technology changes the shape of production, production changes the shape of facilities.”

One factor which has greatly expanded Mix’s mission statement since its inception has been increased coverage of sound for picture.  In 1991 Kenny was assigned to write an article detailing the audio involved in The Doors movie and travelled to Skywalker Sound to get the scoop.  After a first attempt, a brief interview with the dialogue editor which “missed the real story,” Kenny returned for a much more in depth examination of the ways in which music and audio were being used to develop and enhance the action onscreen.  Once the issue was released it triggered an influx of calls from movie studios eager to receive similiar coverage on the audio aspects of  their own upcoming blockbusters.  Today, sound for picture might more accurately be described as “sound and picture,” as opportunities to join visuals with quality sound continue to expand into lucrative sectors including video games and internet content.  Kenny continued, “Anyone who laments the decline of CD sales is missing the point – there is more audio out there than ever before” and urged post production students in the audience to remember that ” as an audio person, you are first and foremost telling a story.”

Tom Kenny’s discussion on critcal components of finding success in the fast paced and ever changing music industry returned repeatedly to a single topic: quality.  When asked by moderator Scott Legere to offer opinions on what tactics are actually working in the modern marketplace, Kenny stated that “What works is finding talent; product that is of quality eventually rises to the top…be careful of chasing the flavor of the month, that’s not  a career.”  Also of high importance when considering potential paths to success: distribution.  As new techniques for cutting through the clutter of mediocrity emerge, the winners will be those who understand how to get heard and how to distribute to fans on their terms.  “The internet allows you to know your fanbase in ways that were previously unimaginable,” Kenny continued, “You can in fact make a fine living with quality product that people will come back to.”

The event culminated with IPR’ co-founder Lance Sabin awarding an honorary degree to our guest.  Upon his exit, Kenny left the audience with an encouraging confirmation of their chosen career path in music, “If you are here because you can’t live without it, you are in the right industry.”

Tags: IPR, Mix Magazine, Tom Kenny
Posted in Newswire, Newswire Events | No Comments »

Student Profile: David Stevens

Posted by Travis Norman on Monday, November 23rd, 2009

In this installment of Student Profile we Meet David Stevens, currently enrolled in his 5th quarter of studies at The Institute of Production and Recording, and learn a bit about the benefits of keeping an open mind, networking with those around you, and doing what it takes to achieve the goals you set for yourself…

Hi my name is David Stevens.  I came from the country near a small town in Southern Minnesota.  I didn’t have much of a music background – my dad listened to country, my mom listened to oldies, and everyone at school listened to Top 40.  So when it comes to unique music I just didn’t have the knowledge.  When I came to IPR in Oct. of  2008,  I got music from everywhere, and my mind just blew up!  It has been a fun trip so far!  I did some stuff in music like a stint as a wedding dj, and making music in a program called Magix, but that was the most I had dived into working in music at all. When our teacher at IPR , Jay Flemming, asked during the first quarter who in the class knew what an XLR was, I had no clue.

I heard about IPR when I went to a job counselor looking for work when I lived in Northern WI.  She asked me what I liked to do; I listed off everything, and somehow we got on the subject of music.  She told me her son was looking at IPR, and it peaked my curiosity.  I didn’t know schools like this even existed!  So I did my research, checked out other places, but I didn’t want to live too far from home and I wanted to go somewhere that could give me the best education for my use in all aspects.  I took a tour of the school and a smile was stuck on my face the whole time.  I had never really been around even the mixing boards you see in Studio 6.  So the thought of being able to be around them all the time for two years made me so happy. My admissions rep, and everyone I met on my tour were so friendly and happy – I felt they absolutely loved being here.  Right then and there I knew I wanted to attend school here.

I was in choir and band when I was in high school.  I love to sing and I am working on learning guitar and piano more constructively.  I have always loved music and singing since I was just a little kid.  I knew I wanted to be in the music industry, but I was always told it wasn’t a reasonable area to push towards for a career…

There are so many people up here that have struck my sparks to keep striving.  I am always networking and trying to meet new people.  The more people I know the more people that know me.  I don’t want money, fame, and stardom.  If it happens, GREAT!  But if it doesn’t I am still doing what I love.  If I can make a living doing what I love, I will never work the rest of my life, because I look at it as more than work.  It’s my life.  I breath music.  Anyone that feels the same as I do I look up to.  Anyone that has a passion for music and is in it for the right reasons I feel appreciative towards.

So many teachers, students, and other music industry people from all over have influenced me.  If they have knowledge to give I want to listen.  I want to feed off of everything.  I didn’t know anything before I came here and in the year I have been here I have growing not only musically but mentally as well.  If you ever want to learn anything about music step into a conversation with a group of people here.  It is so fun being here, and the people are great.  Everyone is here for different reasons which makes everyone unique to talk to.

After school I want to work with promotions, engineering, and producing.  I am in the process of trying to work closer with Ideawerks and their promotional crew.  I have mad respect for the program.  Check it out at www.ideawerks.org and you will see just what I mean.  I am in the process of starting up my own company, and slowly but surely it is getting off the ground.  Being in school and just getting on my feet are obviously keeping it held back, but I know it will take time, time, and more time.  That’s why I want to start now.  I want to be somewhere doing something when I am out of school.  All I want to do is strive and make something of my self.  I want to know my life is happy.  And I feel the most happy doing exactly this.  People say I will wear down in the craziness of the business, but I don’t let it get to me.  You get out what you put in, that’s what everyone says.  Well, right now I am putting my whole heart and soul into this – I will get something out of this no matter what.  I am happier then I have ever been in my life right now.

I have been working with bands, but not charging yet.  Though I have traded services.  A couple bands I have worked with have set up a website for me, and also helped me build my logo.  Even if you don’t get money, don’t forget to look at other options of how someone can help you.  Things that could have cost you hundreds of dollars to do on your own, you can use the help of those you help yourself.  If I was to give any support of information to any students looking to get out there, work, and start getting recognized, it would be to network with everyone you can.

In closing, maintaining a focus on networking and doing what it takes are the two most important things that I can say.  You can be in class all you want, and do the projects but that only gets you so far.  A degree is a piece of paper.  Prove to them that you really know what you are talking about by just doing it.  And to learn, there are a few steps you need to follow.  Get in the studio with other people.  Even if it is to just watch them.  Shut up, and watch.  If you have a question, write it down and ask them later when they are not super busy.  Talk to everyone and anyone you can.  And listen.  Be open minded to anything.  Don’t have a one track mind.  It doesn’t get very many people too far…

Tags: David Stevens, IDEAWERKS, IPR Student
Posted in Newswire, Student Profile | 3 Comments »

Jackie Lee Robinson Remembered

Posted by Travis Norman on Tuesday, November 10th, 2009

On November 11th The Institute of Production and Recording will close its campus in remembrance of one of its late founding fathers, Jackie Lee Robinson.  To help pay tribute to his memory I asked members of the extended IPR community to reflect on what type of impact Jack had on their lives, and the ways in which his vision and teachings continue to inspire and influence them today.

“From one bass player to another, Jack was FUNKY!  He was the one who inspired me to teach.  He approached me and encouraged me , saying that I could actually make a difference in a kids life.  He was one of a kind!” ~ Paul Peterson

“Mentoring under Jack Robinson was the turning point for me from being a hobbiest to making my living in the music industry.  He had a talent for teaching that brought the pressure of real world experience with a balance of hope and encouragement to each lesson.  He had a great impact on my life and the impact of his mentorship is present in my work everyday.  He has my highest respect.

The Jack Robinson quotes that I live by are: “signal flow, it’s all about signal flow”, “most engineers don’t hit their stride until they are in their 40’s”, and  “never be late for the call. If you’re late you don’t work.” ~ Chad Weis

“Jackie Lee Robinson was truly a role model to anyone aspiring top be an entrepreneur in the music business” ~ Kristin Aldridge

Jack Robinson quote:  (8 or 9 years ago at the Electronic Musician’s Workshop – Lake and Lyndale)

Jack:  What kind of music do you want to make?  Hip Hop?  House?  Tell me so I can teach you.

JP:  I don’t just want to make a particular kind of music…  I want to UNDERSTAND the MEDIUM of sound.

Jack:  Well, JP…  what you want is a degree in sound engineering.   Someday I’ll have my own school…  you will be the perfect candidate.

1 year later… IPR opens…  JP attends…   and now here we are. 

“My life would never be the same, after those 1 on 1 lessons that I took back in the year 2000″ ~ JP  Hunglemann

“What I am most grateful about having known Jack is that he really helped me get a job at IPR.   After knowing him as an instructor at a previous music school, he would come into the music retail store that I used to work at and say, “Tanya, you shouldn’t be working here.  I really want to see you be happy.”  He explained that he was “starting up a new school” and they needed help in the Admissions department.  He invited me to IPR in the Fall of 2002 for a tour.  At that time IPR was 1/3 of the size it is now and about a dozen people worked there, but I was impressed with the vision that he and Lance had for the school.  I know that Jack would be very proud to see the milestone steps that IPR has taken these past few years.  Jack was also a vegetarian so we shared our love for good food and often discussed our favorite local restaurants.  But he never cooked for himself… probably because he was so busy all of the time.” ~ Tanya Norman

JLR with his beloved motorcycle

In addition to being an established bass player with both Prince and Carmen Electra, Robinson was also a philanthropist and concerned about childrens’ education. “He [Robinson] wanted to give back to the community,” said Stephen Slater, long time friend and colleague of Robinson. That dream has now become reality in the form of IDEAWERKS Indigenous Creative Academy, a venture designed to create, manage, and maintain community based multimedia arts, music and recording technology after school programs.

Conceived in cooperation with The IPR/JLR Foundation and supported in part by contributions from a host of prominent music technology manufacturers, IDEAWERKS seeks to carry forward a vision of excellence in education, creativity, music, technology and public achievement as tools for communication and self awareness.

Morris Hayes, producer, artist, and long time musical director for Prince, took time out of his schedule to fly back to his hometown of Minneapolis to show his support for this exceptional program. “As a personal friend of the late Jackie Lee Robinson, I have nothing but heartfelt appreciation for the efforts of all involved to help make Jackie’s vision for Ideawerks come to life,” says Hayes. “I will continue to stay involved with the program and encourage all community members to do so as well. Students are given the remarkable opportunity to learn recording techniques and music basics at no charge, allowing them to express themselves in a creative way, and in a safe environment, too. This program will change many lives and I am happy to be a part of it.”

Thanks to all who contributed to this article and to the many individuals who push themselves to achieve in music and in life, thereby insuring that Jack’s wishes for the IPR community continue to be realized.

Tags: IDEAWERKS, IPR, Jackie Lee Robinson, The IPR/JLR Foundation
Posted in Newswire, Newswire Announcements | 6 Comments »

Joanna Jahn, Matt Cannon at DIY360

Posted by Travis Norman on Friday, November 6th, 2009

10/30—Joanna Jahn, producer from Modern Music joined us to discuss sound design, advertising work and opportunities in the Twin Cities.

Modern Music has produced music for some of the biggest Target advertising campaigns like “Hello/Goodbye.”  Internship opportunities for IPR are being discussed now! Check her out at http://joannajahnvoicetalent.com/.

11/6—Matt Cannon game designer and inventor  came to discuss his work with Zivix on a new Guitar Hero-like game requiring the design of dozens of loops.

Students were asked to contribute ideas and tracks and will be reimbursed. They have used a number of IPR grads for internship positions and will use more!  Check out Zivix at http://zivix.net/index.html.

Next week 11/13, Alicia Wiley, a fabulous singer songwriter!

http://www.myspace.com/aliciawiley Check out her MySpace and come with comments and questions.

DIY 360 is a weekly event hosted by Adam Levy. The goal is to introduce students to professionals in the field who have been successful, frequently by adapting to changes in the business where they make use of multiple skill sets. Guests share information about their careers, their philosophies about professionalism and their art. Guests often give advice to budding artists, entertainment business professionals, producers and engineers. DIY 360 is an opportunity for students to network with those working in the field and with each other as they work toward career success.

Tags: DIY360, Modern Music, Zivix
Posted in Newswire, Newswire Events | No Comments »

Mary Ann O’Dougherty Remembered

Posted by Travis Norman on Friday, October 30th, 2009

To those that were fortunate enough to know her, this shining personification of light and laughter, of melody and marvel, of curiosity and of caring, needs no introduction. However, if you are perhaps a brand new addition to the IPR community I would like to take a moment to acquaint you with one of the most amazing people to ever walk our halls and inspire our students.

Mary Ann O’Dougherty was born on Halloween, October 31, 1953, and grew up in South Minneapolis. She spent her early years developing her skills as a singer and musician, taking piano lessons as a child and performing in high school musicals and talent shows. She attended Regina High School and earned a BA in Music Education at the University of Minnesota. After graduating from the U in 1975, Mary Ann’s passion and drive for life launched her global travels to more than 30 countries, where she studied languages and performed. After spending time in the Middle East, Europe, and South America, she settled in Brazil for five years. There her love of food and singing intersected in a jazz nightclub she owned called Mandala. In the mid-1980s she returned to the Twin Cities, and while working in local fine restaurants joined “The Consort”, one of the first bands to bring “world music” to the Twin Cities. Mary Ann’s band, “Mandala”, highlighted her roots in Brazilian music and native-like fluency in Portuguese, her beautiful alto voice and incredible stage presence that captured the hearts of thousands. From in the mid-1980s onward Mary Ann used her true gift of teaching that combined her love of singing, culture, art and music. She created an artist-in-residence curriculum that was offered in local and statewide elementary schools. In 1991 she started teaching music for the St. Paul Public Schools, first at Cherokee Heights Elementary and later at Eastern Heights Elementary. She completed a Masters Degree at the University of Minnesota. Mary Ann began teaching at the Institute of Production and Recording in Minneapolis in 2005.  Mary Ann had a rare capacity to connect deeply with people. All who knew her will remember her open, genuine, buoyant spirit, intensity and infectious vitality. She loved to hear everyone’s stories and tell her own. She was an avid chef and talented party giver, was passionate about her close friendships and loved her family dearly. Mary Ann was an ardent supporter of social justice and put her values into everyday practice. As singer/performer, teacher, colleague, friend, and family member, she touched the lives of many, many people in a profound way. Mary Ann O’Dougherty, of Minneapolis, passed away on February 25, 2009.

In closing, I would like to offer a suggestion on a sure fire way to insure that Mary Ann’s teachings remain a vital component of the IPR experience.  A driving motivation behind much of her effort here was to expand student awareness of the rich musical histories of both our American culture and cultures from around the world.  Within the walls of her classes, it was often possible to look around the room and literally see eyes being opened, ears being adjusted to the unfamiliar, and preconceived notions on the scope of what music is and can be, crumbling away.  For many, it was a first exposure to sounds and styles which, although hugely influential in other times and / or places, had thus far failed to penetrate the consciousness of the typical IPR student.  Who among us can deny that while dedicating ourselves to the niche genres we identify the most with, we can easily overlook incredible contributions made to music from outside our sphere of taste.  Therefore, as a simple way to honor Mary Ann’s memory I plan to push myself to explore music beyond the here and now, and to share those discoveries with those around me…give it a try…you may be pleasantly surprised by what you find!

Tags: "Mandala", Mary Ann O'Dougherty, The Institute of Production and Recording
Posted in Newswire, Newswire Announcements | No Comments »

Student Profile: Antonio Rodriguez

Posted by Travis Norman on Friday, October 23rd, 2009

In this edition of Student Profile we meet Antonio Rodriguez, currently enrolled in his 5th  quarter of the Music and Entertainment Business program at the Institute of Production and Recording.  An enthusiastic supporter of the music he enjoys, Antonio is already developing a reputation as an individual able to respond quickly when opportunity presents itself, and with a level of professionalism too rarely seen within the entry levels of the industry.  I was curious to learn more about how some of his early efforts got started, as well as find out what plans are in place to further develop his career path.

Hailing from a suburb of Des Moines, Iowa, Rodriguez discovered IPR through comparative research on Google and though he “really didn’t know what to expect,” has since found the school to be an excellent match for his aspirations.  Anyone familiar with his online profiles will likely already have a good sense of what those aspirations entail, as he makes prolific use of the tools available through social media to help promote activities that he is a part of.

Whether helping to hype DIY 360 with Adam Levy, or sharing video on the IPR FaceBook fan page, many of Antonio’s efforts are in fact helping to establish greater continuity between the on and offline IPR communities.  If you look closely at the audience for many IPR sponsored events, you have a good chance of spotting Antonio, video camera in hand, documenting footage to share with those unable to attend in person.  When asked about his motivation for this, he replied “I like shooting amateur stuff and capturing it in Final Cut,  editing it and throwing it online for everyone to see…somehow I’ve managed to get 70 some videos up on my YouTube page; it’s a great way to give additional exposure to the events.”

Recent video shot and edited by Antonio… (more…)

Tags: Antonio Rodriguez, Contents Under Pressure, DIY 360, IPR, Island Def Jam, Music and Entertainment Business, Student Profile
Posted in Newswire, Student Profile | 1 Comment »

Announcements

April 28, 2010

Al Kooper Plays Dakota Jazz Club, IPR’s DIY360

November 10, 2009

Jackie Lee Robinson Remembered

October 30, 2009

Mary Ann O’Dougherty Remembered

October 14, 2009

Networking at AES